The last couple of weeks have been busy at Alumni 4 U, a UIC Business program that connects UIC alumni to current UIC Business students for knowledge-sharing exchanges in a one-on-one setting. Juan Hernandez Trigueros, a Business Scholar within UIC Business, had the opportunity to meet with Eamonn McDonagh, MSA ’04, who currently works in internal auditing and compliance at United Airlines.

“We talked a lot about the challenges that are unique to different accounting roles,” says Trigueros. McDonagh, who worked at KPMG before moving to United, has experience with the breadth and variety of public accounting work. “Eamonn emphasized the value of public accounting experience. It can be a great career in itself, and can also set the stage for different kinds of corporate work further down the road.”

McDonagh also shared his view on the CPA profession, which has had significant growth even as the CPA certification requirements have become more demanding. “The CPA population is increasing, which could create congestion in the field for young accountants who are graduating two or three years from now.” But regarding the CPA requirements, Trigueros recalled McDonagh’s straightforward advice. “Focus. If you study, you will pass.”

Other alumni on campus in the last two weeks include Andrea Cruz, MSA ’14, currently at Underwriter Laboratories; Justin Lancaster, BS ’15, from CNA; Diana Ilut-Kaba, BS ’12, from Technomic Inc.; Ayala Trumper, MSA ’09, from Business Technology Partners, LLP; and Joshua Limp, BS ’12, from PepsiCo Frito Lay.

To learn how you can be a part of Alumn4U, contact Foluke Akanni at foluke(at)uic.edu.